python py_compile

.py to .pyc bytecode for interpreter

import py_compile

py_compile.compile('example.py')

python -m py_compile example.py

When is it actually useful?

• Pre-validating compile errors before CI/CD deployment

• Distributing only .pyc files in restricted environments (though pip wheels can also accomplish this)

• Note that .pyc files can be easily decompiled, making them unsuitable as a complete source code protection measure